• South of Esmeraldas, Atacames is wildly popular with beach bars, discos, waterfront hotels and restaurants. Be careful with the powerful undertow. photos
• Sua is a fishing village with pretty beaches and a quieter atmosphere
• Upscale Same, twelve miles from Esmeraldas, has clean white sand beaches, palm trees, a beautiful bay with a gentle surf. The Casa Blanca beach resort, offers a Jack Nicklaus golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools, and a marina. Take one of the "ecological taxis" - a three wheeled pedicab.
• South of Same, the island of Muisne has a beyond the back-roads feel with nice beaches and a relaxed atmosphere
• San Lorenzo, the largest town north of Esmeraldas, is very popular for the bay and nautical events
• San Vicente is a resort village with nice beaches

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